by Michelle Martin, Deputy Director, Office of Planning and Capital Programming, Maryland Department of Transportation, and Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
On March 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the opening of the $1.17 billion FY23 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. Applications are due to USDOT on July 10th and the funding opportunity announcement is now available.
Continue readingby Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
Keynote speaker, Eli Glazier, will be focusing on the importance of pedestrian safety and walkability during his presentation at the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association’s (MPCA’s) 39th annual conference later this month.
Continue readingby Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
This October, the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) is partnering with Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) in support of Maryland’s Third Annual WALKTOBER – a month-long celebration and educational event surrounding all-things-walking-related – with tie-ins to our 39th Annual Conference.
Together, with help from local, state, and national partners, Walktober offers in-person and virtual events across Maryland will spotlight pedestrian safety, health, and infrastructure issues, as well as new programs and initiatives that encourage walking and support walkability.
The theme of MPCA’s 2022 annual conference is “Planning for Challenges on the Horizon” with sessions covering topics related to how planning commissions and boards can collaborate with planning staff, elected officials, and other stakeholders to address and prepare the challenges facing our communities, such as climate change, hazard mitigation planning, infrastructure planning, post pandemic recovery, and more.
MPCA is doing its part to address the challenges of walkability and pedestrian planning at the planning commission/board level. We are looking forward to a number of exciting sessions and activities, including:
Throughout Walktober, MDOT and its partners will share information and resources, including a series of free webinars, or Walkinars – hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) – that are open to all.
October 5th is Walk Maryland Day, an event-filled day designed to encourage all Marylanders to step outside and enjoy walking or some other form of physical activity. As in previous years, Marylanders can register as a Walk Leader or to join a walk as a participating Sole Mate to celebrate Walk Maryland Day.
To register or learn more about MPCA’s 39th Annual Conference, click on the links above or contact Joe Griffiths, Local Assistance and Training Manager at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov. And be sure to enjoy more coverage about this year’s Walkinar topics, presenters, and Walk Maryland Day options in this edition of Planning Practice Monthly.
By Kandese Holford, Regional and Intermodal Planning Division Assistant Chief and Statewide Bike/Ped Coordinator, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, with Kristen E. Humphrey, MLA, Local Assistance and Training Planner
In spring 2021, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) initiated the state’s first Pedestrian Safety Action Plan (PSAP) to address the needs of the most vulnerable roadway users, namely pedestrians and bicyclists.
The PSAP outlines how MDOT SHA will improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety by identifying challenges, setting goals and objectives, establishing priorities, and determining where to focus roadway safety improvements. Guided by principles established in Maryland’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and MDOT SHA’s Context Guide, it identifies areas of need, prioritizes corridors, and recommends safety countermeasures by employing a systematic approach to project planning and design.
Continue readingWe introduced Walktober 2021 in our August 6 edition of Planning Practice Monthly, and we now have more to share!
Walking is an activity that’s part of daily life for many Marylanders and is recognized as a healthy transportation choice. In fact, walking is Maryland’s official state exercise.
But with issues of pedestrian safety and access, many communities recognize walking and improving the walkability of our neighborhoods are goals that require public attention and action.
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